India’s Recent Developments
In an era of geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, India has set a bold new path, grounded in innovation, development and regional cooperation. Speaking at an event hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) Queensland, His Excellency Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India to Australia, outlined India’s evolving role in global affairs and the transformative power of the digital age.
Since gaining independence from the British Crown in 1947, India has grown exponentially across sectors. Key developments include growth in their agricultural research achieving incredible levels of agricultural production, greater food security and a decline of extreme poverty. The nation has set its eyes on a more ambitious target: to become a fully developed nation by 2047 and to boast the third largest economy in the world. “This ambition is achievable,” Mr Baglay said, “if India harnesses its economic momentum, technological innovation and partnerships with likeminded nations – especially in the Asia Pacific.”
Digital India and FinTech
In 2014, India hosted the Digital India Mission, a flagship mission hosted by the Indian Government. It seeks to embrace the power of artificial intelligence – harnessing its capabilities to enhance efficiency and empower everyday Indians. As a result of this, it delivered benefits of technology throughout all communities. This shot the nation into an enviable position of the highest in the world per capita of data usage.
The success of this program is most evident in the nation’s ‘FinTech’ industry, which harnesses technology to make financial services more accessible in a market of 1.5 billion people. By harnessing the powers of technology and innovation, industries like ‘FinTech’ enhance lives, especially for rural Indian communities who faced barriers in receiving government support. Some examples include the adoption of digital payment platforms, which surged by 118 per cent in 2023, making utility payments, insurance, credit and assisted commerce more accessible. Artificial intelligence has gained traction in the finance sector, with the technology revolutionising loans – enabling lenders to evaluate risks more accurately and reduce dependency on large stacks of paperwork
Additionally as part of India’s efforts to fulfill the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the nation is striving to make use of technology to produce 500 gigawatts of renewable energy production by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. This is 50 per cent of the nation’s cumulative electric power capacity, and will reduce emissions intensity by 45 per cent as a result.
“So for this, you will understand the importance of critical minerals. For this you will understand the importance of secure and sustainable supply chains” Mr Baglay remarked, highlighting the strategic importance of India-Australia cooperation in the green energy transition.
However, recent regulatory changes introduced by the current United States government do not follow international legal frameworks. The changes have allowed the US to become independent from other nations. Approaches normally include localising of refining and processing of raw minerals. This is a reaction to China’s increasing competition, dominating the supply of gallium and germanium all used in its growing economic, military and technological supremacy. While this is strategically beneficial to the US and its security, it has threatened the equitable global distribution of the resources needed to meet shared climate goals.
The Inflation Reduction Act in the US addresses inflation and invests in domestic clean energy production. In the domestic electric vehicle sector, the law encourages manufacturers to source critical minerals directly from the US or states with free trade agreements. As a result, other countries may follow suit and adopt similar protectionist policies causing significant ripple affects to international supply chains.
Regional Cooperation: “The Whole World is One Family”
India’s rapid technological rise goes hand in hand with its commitment to regional peace and stability. The principle of “the whole world is one family” guides Indian diplomacy. His Excellency highlighted the nation’s diplomatic visions and goals, “what India is trying to do in its own neighbourhood is to promote connectivity – the connectivity of infrastructure, power, people, ideas and thoughts.”
But this can only be made attainable in a system characterised by peace, security and stability. As one of the oldest democratic states in the world, Mr Baglay believes India is a trailblazer in upholding these values in its region. While its democracy remains a point of national pride, India also faces ongoing challenges at home. Particularly in navigating Hindu-Muslim relations. This includes the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act which caused backlash among critics who claimed it would violate the secular principles enshrined into the national constitution. They say “faith cannot be made a condition of citizenship.” These complexities are further underscored in regions like Kashmir, where historical tensions and recent violence including the 2025 attack have tested both India’s security priorities and its commitment to fostering peace.
His Excellency Gopal Baglay cited the recent attack in Kashmir as a reminder of the enduring threat of terrorism in its neighbourhood. He urged the international community to approach the issue with consistency and integrity.
Emphasising India’s policy of zero tolerance to terrorism, Mr Baglay stressed that the fight against this challenge can only succeed if there are no double standards. He reiterated that safe havens undermines not only regional stability, but also global security.
Additionally, on the state’s Western border, India is balancing tensions with a growing international great power – with a broad spectrum of tensions including geographical borders, economic growth, technology and aeronauticals.
“The fight against terrorism can only succeed if there are no double standards. Victims and perpetrators must be treated equally, and no one should be acquitted.”
Australian and Indian Ties: A Partnership grounded in Sustainable Development
Australia and India’s bilateral relationship is increasingly defined by their commitments to sustainability and clean energy. As the two democracies are situated in the Indo-Pacific, long-term security and prosperity must be grounded in environmental responsibility.
His Excellency reiterated sustainability was guided by the Indian belief of collectivism – the idea of prioritising the needs of a group over the individual. The belief is a shared global mission of preserving the Earth’s environment. The partnership is reflected in joint efforts to advance renewable energy transitions, with both states investing in solar, hydrogen and green technology. This is evident in the rapid growth of the nation’s 30-fold surge in adoption, increasing to about 94.16 gigawatts in power as of 2024. India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) – an intergovernmental organisation with over 100 countries as signatories, aims to unlock $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030. India plays a central role in ISA, acting as a founding member and pledging $1 million corpus fund to the organisation. Australia’s membership in ISA symbolises its ambition to serve as a renewable energy hub for the Global South.
This shared belief in sustainability extends to multilateral platforms like the Quad, where climate action and sustainable infrastructure are central. Education and research partnerships between Indian and Australian universities – such as the collaborations between the University of Queensland and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on solar energy storage – further strengthening the capacity of both countries to tackle environmental challenges collaboratively. Additionally, Australia and India are working close together in ensuring critical mineral supply chains are used for technologies in batteries and electric vehicles
Overall, India’s central role in the Indo-Pacific is underpinned by its leadership in technology and its commitment to a safe and stable region. This aim is enacted not only through traditional security partnerships such as the Quad, but also climate politics. Its central role in the International Solar Alliance and efforts to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals is clear in showing their desire for a clean and green environment for future generations. In the same vein as Australia’s engagement in the region, India’s “the whole world is one family” ethos is a vision of international cooperation rooted in sustainability, inclusivity and mutual respect. Yet, as the global order shifts – with competition over critical minerals and escalating regional tensions with its neighbour China – India’s ability to balance its domestic complexities with its international aspirations will be a defining factor in whether this vision can be realised. The choices India makes now will determine whether it emerges as an international great power, but a constructor of a fairer and sustainable world order.
Edited by Deborah Bouchez
Written by Chloe Leung
Currently in her third year of a double degree in Communications/Journalism and International Relations at Griffith University, Chloe Leung is passionate about intersectionality in global development – particularly centring the voices of marginalised communities.
